Wrestling Factions All Have Some Battles Ahead In 2004

ALEX MARVEZ INSIDE THE RING

What should be another fascinating year in the wrestling business officially kicked off on this week's Monday Night Raw when Spike Dudley defeated Rene Dupre in the first live televised match of 2004.

Here are some of the major issues facing North America's top promotions in 2004:

WWE

When at the zenith of its popularity three years ago, World Wrestling Entertainment squandered the opportunity to create new stars while big-name talent such as Steve Austin and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson were winding down as full-time performers. The result was a sizable drop in business that reflected a loss of interest from casual fans, which is a much more important group than the hard-core supporters who will follow WWE no matter how poor the product becomes.

Although television and pay-per-view ratings stabilized in 2003, WWE continued to squander opportunities to elevate talent before mainstream fans lost interest. Chris Benoit remained mired in a midcard role even after receiving a standing ovation last January following his Royal Rumble loss to Kurt Angle. Kane's resurgence as a ratings draw plummeted after he was programmed with Shane McMahon. And Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio Jr., both of whom have shown drawing power in areas with significant Mexican populations, aren't in the mix with the top performers on WWE's Smackdown roster.

But WWE has no choice but to prepare for the future, considering the state of its headline talent. Ric Flair is 53. Bill Goldberg's contract expires in April and he may not get re-signed. Neck injuries have ended Austin's in-ring career and may do the same to Angle. Paul "Triple H" Levesque is trying to launch a movie career, a la Johnson. And The Undertaker isn't expected to resume a full-time schedule until later this spring after taking a hiatus.

The big question now is whether last year's renewed attempt to create new superstars helps improve the promotion's tepid live show business. The key performers in that mix are Randy Orton and John Cena.

While only 24 years old, WWE is banking on Orton becoming even more successful than his father ("Cowboy" Bob Orton) and grandfather (Bob Orton Sr.). Orton's "legend killer" gimmick received a significant boost recently when he began feuding with Mick Foley, who is willing to emerge from retirement for a match. The seeds for that confrontation were planted last month when Foley began a Coward of the County-style angle by walking out of a Tampa arena before a scheduled Monday Night Raw match against Orton.

Cena's hip-hop gimmick makes him the type of character who could help WWE recapture a sizable share of the teenage demographic, which was a major factor in the promotion's resurgence in the late 1990s.

NWA/TNA

This Nashville-based promotion hoped to generate mainstream interest for its Wednesday night pay-per-view shows by signing Hulk Hogan following his June departure from WWE. But plans for a Hogan vs. Jeff Jarrett match were shelved after The Hulkster underwent knee surgery and refused to reschedule a date for what would be the biggest match in National Wrestling Alliance/Total Nonstop Action's 18-month history. At this point, Hogan seems more likely to return for a match with WWE at Wrestlemania XX than working for NWA/TNA.

NWA/TNA may try to make a smaller splash by signing Kevin Nash, whose WWE contract recently expired. Even though injuries have made him even more limited in the ring than before, Nash and Scott Hall could reform their Outsiders tag-team to lead what could potentially become a successful wrestler "invasion" into NWA/TNA.

Such an angle would give NWA/TNA some much-needed life, as matchmaker Dutch Mantel has failed to make the kind of impact that was expected after a successful run for the International Wrestling Association in Puerto Rico.

INDEPENDENTS

Philadelphia-based Ring of Honor recently drew its largest crowd (1,500 fans) for a show that also featured Keiji "The Great Muta" Muto and other stars from All Japan Pro Wrestling. ROH, whose product is only available on VHS and DVD, is trying to introduce more story lines to go along with its excellent technical wrestling product. Visit www.rohwrestling.com. ...

Major League Wrestling is trying to get back on its feet after financial problems forced the group to stop taping new episodes for its weekly Sunshine Network shows in late October. MLW plans to debut a six-sided ring for a scheduled Feb. 13 show at the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium. Visit www.mlw.com. ...

The hottest independent promotion entering 2004 is Lucha Va Voom, which has plans to run more shows outside of Southern California. Lucha Va Voom features Mexican performers such as Mil Mascaras and El Hijo del Santo with shows that also appeal to non-Hispanic fans.